Magnetic induction dynamical devices for damping impacts and heating objects

ABSTRACT

Proposed MID-devices comprise magnetic and electro-conductive means. High winds impacts or intermittent loads actuate a relative motion of the magnetic and electro-conductive means, inducing electric current within the latter, providing a damping of said impacts or loads, providing a heating usable for warming up homes, clothes (in gloves—by clapping hands), footwear (by a walking person), etc. Some embodiments include impact absorbing insertions (sometimes comprising spring-like materials, pneumatic chambers, or bladder-panels), disposed between or within the magnetic and electro-conductive means, and returning them toward their start position. Other embodiments deploy magnetic means facing each other with the same polarity, providing said returning. MID-devices combined with the pneumatic chambers or bladder-panels produce more efficient damping. Said electro-conductive means may include flexible conducting sheets, or coils with soft iron cores usable in damping, repulsing control, and power-generating modes. Said magnetic means may be concavely or convexly shaped stabilizing said relative motion.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This U.S. patent application is a continuation-in-part application of a U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/171,179 filed on Jun. 30, 2005, entitled “Wind, Hurricane, and Cold Protection Devices”, hereby entirely incorporated by reference (herein further referred to as “parent application”).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to devices and methods for damping of high winds and for protection against cold weather, etc. It further explores and improves magnetic induction dynamical devices (MID-devices) previously introduced in the parent application, which can be used in cushioning of high winds and hurricanes, in personal heater means for protection against cold weather.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The prior art contains numerous solutions (partially mentioned in the parent application) for protection of frangible objects against high winds and hurricanes. Some of them are dedicated to damping of the high winds and dissipating their kinetic energy by means of flexible devices covering the frangible objects. The parent application introduced several devices and methods for that purpose.

One of the devices disclosed therein was a MID-device that utilized intermittent wind loads or impacts of wind-borne objects (flying debris) for relative movement of magnetic members that caused electric current pulses in a conductive member disposed in proximity of the magnetic members. Such a pulse, creating an additional magnetic field, decelerated the moving magnetic members, i.e. prolonged the movement, thereby reducing the amplitude of the force eventually applied to the structure of the frangible object (or to a special fence structure surrounding the frangible object described in the sixth embodiment of the parent application). This caused a damping of the wind load or flying debris impact, thereby protecting the frangible object from them. It simultaneously caused a transformation of the mechanical energy of the load or impact into the heat, produced in the conductive member by the electric current pulse.

The MID-devices, however, are not limited to only damping high winds, but also may utilize the produced heat for warming up the frangible object, or for warming up a personal heater means, e.g. gloves, boots, and so on, which was mentioned in the parent application.

The later analysis shows that the MID-devices can be further improved by imparting of novel features, or eliminating old features without functional changes, which may increase the efficiency and commercial applicability of said MID-devices.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aims of the Invention.

One of the aims of the present invention is to provide MID-devices (electromagnetic cushioning apparatus) for damping high winds loads, and impacts of hard airborne bodies, blasts, shockwaves, etc.

Another aim is to provide different possible utilizations and embodiments of the MID-devices in various environments.

Another aim is to further increase the damping effect of wind impacts and intermittent loads, and to enforce transformation of the wind kinetic energy into heat by means of improved MID-devices.

Another aim is to utilize improved MID-devices subjected to intermittent outer forces in individual heater means, in designing of clothing or footwear for cold and windy weather conditions, in shockwave protection, in bulletproof means, etc.

Other aims of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings, ensuing description, and claims as hereinafter related.

Different utilizations of MID devices generally described in the parent application were relied upon a similar underlying structure and its modifications depicted on FIGS. 20, 21, 22, 23 of the parent application. It is now believed that essentially novel embodiments of MID-devices may be added to improve their efficiency and commercial applicability. Accordingly to the improvements, disclosed herein, the MID-devices are now divided into two types: “a MID-device of a first type” applicable to the MID-device embodiments earlier disclosed in the parent application as well as to their improvements, and “a MID-device of a second type”, both described in the present continuation-in-part application.

Therefore, MID-device embodiments of a first type earlier introduced in the parent application and their improvements as well as embodiments of a second type MID-device are herein provided to achieve the above mentioned aims of the present invention.

Some embodiments of a first type MID-device, disclosed in the parent application and repeated herein, comprise at least two magnetic members facing each other with different magnetic polarities attached to a flexible substrate. One of the magnetic members is made immovable and, in general, fixed to the frangible object to be protected (or to a special fence around the object) from impacts or wind loads. At least one of the magnetic members is made movable, and subjected to intermittent wind loads or flying debris impacts.

The parent application discloses an impact absorbing insertion, disposed between the magnetic members attracting each other, substantially for keeping them apart, and also for returning the movable member substantially to its start position it had prior to the impact (or a pulse of the intermittent load). An impact absorbing insertion may be made in the form of a pneumatic chamber, or a bladder-panel, or might be performed as means having spring-like properties, or made of special elastic materials.

A new improved embodiment of a first type MID-device differs from the embodiments earlier described in the parent application in that the magnetic members, capable of essentially linear and reciprocal motion relatively to each other, are so positioned as facing each other with the same polarity that is repulsing each other. The device includes immovable magnetic members coupled with insulation means and conductive members fixed to an object to be protected from high winds.

The device includes movable magnetic members coupled with a fence screen protecting the object from flying debris. A bladder panel is disposed between the movable and immovable magnetic members, so that the cushioning of the high winds loads and flying debris impacts is provided by the bladder panel (in the way described in the parent application) and by the magnetic members and conductive members causing electromagnetic damping of said loads and impacts.

Other embodiments of a first type MID-device, newly disclosed herein, are performed without an impact absorbing insertion. One of these embodiments has an immovable magnetic member and a movable magnetic member. A conductive member is attached to the immovable magnetic member outside of the gap between the two magnetic members. The conductive member may alternatively be jointed to the movable magnetic member, or the movable and immovable magnetic members both may have conductive members coupled to them.

The magnetic flux in the vicinity of the conductive member changes when the movable magnetic member, caused by said impact or load, approaches the immovable magnetic member. An electric current, induced by changes of the magnetic flux associated with the conductive member, will cause the damping effect (deceleration of the motion of the movable magnetic member) and the heating effect (heating up the conductive member). The effects may be utilized for cushioning of high winds and hurricanes, impacts of airborne hard objects, and for warming up an object to be protected from them, or for design of personal heater means.

Another first type MID-device embodiment has a plurality of immovable magnetic members, and a plurality of movable magnetic members (so positioned that capable to engage in a reciprocal motion relatively to the immovable members), wherein both kinds of the magnetic members including specially shaped (concavely and convexly) permanent magnets. The permanent magnets of the movable and immovable members are substantially co-axially disposed, and facing each other with the same magnetic polarity, but the movable member has a freedom of vertical, horizontal, or both displacements (“perpendicular displacement”) in a plane essentially perpendicularly to said reciprocal motion of the movable member, within a predetermined range.

Due to the special shapes of the ends of the permanent magnets confronting each other, said displacement causes a force applied to the movable member's permanent magnets, and directed opposite to said perpendicular displacement, decelerating the displacement, and tending to return the permanent magnets to their initial co-axial position relatively to the immovable member's permanent magnets position. This embodiment is provided in order to stabilize the substantially co-axial mutual position of the movable and immovable magnetic members when it's critical.

Yet, another first type MID-device embodiment comprises an immovable conductive member, only one movable magnetic member, and an impact absorbing insertion, which is used only for returning the magnetic member to its start position (it had prior to the impact), but not for keeping apart magnetic members (since there is only one magnetic member in the embodiment). The change of magnetic flux occurs when the movable magnetic member approaches the immovable conductive member, and the eddy currents induced therein will cause the damping and heating effects.

An exemplary embodiment of a second type MID-device is newly disclosed within this continuation-in-part application. It may be utilized, for example, when the repulsive force between the movable and immovable magnetic members need be regulated by a control means. This embodiment includes a more complex immovable magnetic assembly comprising two immovable permanent magnets disposed substantially in parallel to each other but in the opposite magnetic orientations. The permanent magnets are jointed by a soft iron core, making a “bridge”, so that these three elements are assembled in a “horse-shoe-like” shape. A conductive multi-turn coil is disposed on the core, whose ends may be connected to an electrical load (or generally to a source of electrical current), or to each other forming a short circuit.

The embodiment of the second type MD-device also includes two counterpart movable permanent magnets coupled to a fence screen for protecting a frangible object against flying debris. The movable permanent magnets are so positioned that facing their immovable counterparts with the same magnetic orientation causing the repulsion between the movable and immovable counterparts. A bladder-panel is disposed between the movable and immovable permanent magnets. Thus, the cushioning of intermittent high wind loads and flying debris impacts is provided by the bladder-panel (as described in the parent application), and by the interaction of the movable magnets with the immovable magnetic assembly causing the electromagnetic damping of said wind loads or debris impacts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial isometric view of an embodiment of a first type MID-device, according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional side view of an embodiment of a first type MID-device primarily intended for high wind protection, according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional side view of an embodiment of a first type MID-device primarily intended for personal heater means, according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 a is a view of a unipolar magnetic members arrangement, according to an improved embodiment of a first type MID-device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 b is a view of a bipolar magnetic members arrangement, according to an improved embodiment of a first type MID-device of the present invention.

FIG. 5 a is a partial sectional side view of a first type MID-device with a movable magnetic member substantially in its start position, according to an improved embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 b is a partial sectional side view of a first type MID-device with a movable magnetic member substantially in its end position, according to an improved embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 a is a partial sectional side view of a first type MID-device with an immovable magnetic member and a movable magnetic member substantially in its start position, according to an improved embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 b is a partial sectional side view of a first type MID-device with an immovable magnetic member and a movable magnetic member substantially in its end position, according to an improved embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 a is a partial sectional side view of a first type MID-device with specially shaped immovable and movable magnetic members, substantially in its start position, according to an improved embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 b is a partial sectional side view of a first type MID-device with specially shaped immovable and movable magnetic members co-axially disposed, substantially in its end position, according to an improved embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 c is a partial sectional side view of a first type MID-device with specially shaped immovable and movable magnetic members with axis vertically displaced relatively to each other, substantially in its end position, according to an improved embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 a is a side sectional view of a bladder-panel with a first type MID-device, according to an improved embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 b is a frontal sectional view of a bladder-panel with a first type MD-device, according to an improved embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 a is a side sectional view of a bladder-panel with a second type MID-device, according to an improved embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 b is a frontal partial sectional view of a bladder-panel with a second type MID-device, according to an improved embodiment of the present invention.

In general, similar reference numerals point to similar elements of different embodiments on the drawings.

DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION OF THE INVENTION

While the invention may be susceptible to embodiment in different forms, there is shown in the drawings, and will be described in detail herein, several specific embodiments of the present invention with their implementations and modifications, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to that as illustrated and described herein.

Exemplary Description of A First Type MID-Device for High Wind Protection.

An embodiment of a first type MID-device, illustrated on FIGS. 1, 2 and generally used for protection of a frangible object from high winds, comprises magnetic means, represented by at least two preferably identical magnetic members in the form of flexible magnetic sheets (71) with a plurality of flat magnetic plates (70) of a suitable shape and size, superimposed on and attached to sheets 71. For instance, square-like shape of plates 70 is depicted on FIG. 1, showing the plates and the sheets in an isometric view.

Optionally, instead of the magnetic plates 70, sheets 71 may contain magnetic materials in an appropriate form embedded in their structure. Sheets 71 may also be made of suitable elastic composites containing a magnetic component, magnetic plastic, magnetic rubber, etc.

The plurality of flexible sheets 71 includes at least one sheet, further called a frontal sheet 71, in this embodiment coupled with the inner front surface of a cover (21) and positioned in front of an elastic means in the form of a cushioning inflatable chamber (10), as illustrated on FIG. 2.

In other embodiments a bladder-panel or an impact absorbing insertion (which are disclosed in the parent application) disposed between sheets 71 may be used instead of chamber 10. It is also possible to combine different kinds of elastic means and their positions relative to the magnetic means and other elements, for particular wind protection devices, also discussed in detail in the parent application. This may allow intensifying the resultant magnetic field of the magnetic members (in the example: frontal and rear magnetic sheets 71), and as a result to increase the electromagnetic damping and heating effects.

The plurality of flexible sheets 71 includes at least one sheet, further called a rear sheet 71, and in this embodiment positioned behind chamber 10. It should be positioned preferably after the chamber is inflated to avoid a delay and wasting additional power (caused by attraction of the magnetic members) while inflating the chamber. The back surface of frontal sheet 71 and the front surface of rear sheet 71 are preferably in a mechanical contact with the corresponding sides of chamber 10 when the MID-device is assembled.

The MID-device embodiment generally includes electrically insulation means, here exemplified as a flexible insulation sheet (72) made of a suitable dielectric material. FIGS. 1, 2 depict insulation sheet 72, positioned behind the back surface of rear sheet 71.

The MID-device embodiment includes electrically conductive means or a conductive member, exemplified as a conducting sheet (74), disposed behind insulation sheet 72 as shown on FIGS. 1, 2. Conducting sheet 74 is preferably made of a flexible base material (e.g. a thin flexible substrate) with an electrically conducting layer continuously superimposed thereon, or electrical conducting wires, threads, strips, or a plurality of interconnected conducting plates embedded in the base structure of the material (not shown herein).

Optionally conducting sheet 74 may be laminated with an insulation means in the form of dielectric layers (not shown herein), which would substitute the insulation sheet 72. Also, the magnetic material may optionally be superimposed on or embedded in the material of the front and rear sides of the chamber itself (not shown herein), substituting sheets 71, in which case insulation sheet 72 and conducting sheet 74 would be positioned behind the back of the chamber. Such a construction of the chamber would speed up its deflating after the use, though would delay its inflating (due to said attraction of the magnetic members facing to each other with the opposite polarity).

The MID-device embodiment includes fixing means essentially immovably disposed in a coordinate system. In this embodiment, the fixing means are substantiated in the form of a cover (21), illustrated on FIG. 2, enclosing the above-described elements of the MID-device. The rear side of cover 21 is secured to the structure of the frangible object (not shown, established on the ground, representing the coordinate system for the given example of MID-device), to be protected from high winds, by supporting means, described in detail in the parent application. FIG. 2 shows the frontal side of cover 21 of this embodiment, coupled to a fence screen (22) for protection of the device from flying debris in high wind or hurricane conditions. The fence screen may have different forms discussed in the parent application.

Operation of a First Type MID-Device for High Wind Protection.

The operation of the MID-device in this embodiment is based on the following: the alternative (intermittent) wind load or impact received by the fence screen 22, illustrated on FIG. 2, is transmitted to and deforms the elastic means represented here as chamber 10, and brings the magnetic members (that is flexible sheets 71 in this example) closer to each other that will increase the magnetic field around them inducing an electric current in the conductive means (i.e. conducting sheet 74). The induced current will cause a heating of conducting sheet 74.

The elastic means (chamber 10 in the example) returns the magnetic members (sheets 71) substantially towards their start position after the impacts or intermittent outer loads discontinue. The elastic means may also create a condition for producing higher frequencies oscillations of the magnetic members, which will induce the higher frequencies currents in the conducting means causing more effective dissipation of the impacts' or loads' energy generally resulting in more heating of the conducting means.

The fixing means (in the example: cover 21 and elements of any supporting means, not shown herein) provide a positioning of the rear magnetic member substantially immovable within the coordinate system. This provides for a movement of the magnetic members relatively to each other, causing the change of their resultant magnetic field, and consequently the inducing of electric current in the conducting means (sheet 74).

The dissipation of the wind energy and transforming it into the induced electric current and eventually into the heat can be used to heat up the frangible object. It might also be possible to use the induced current for electrical lighting of objects subjected to intermittent wind loads by providing a special circuitry for the induced current (not shown). For instance, instead of a stand alone sheet 74, conducting coils may be used, connected to suitable electrical bulbs mounted inside or outside the object.

The induced current will also create a damping effect of the electromagnetic nature, which damps the movement of the magnetic members. Herein this effect will cause a deceleration of frontal sheet 71 coupled with screen 22, tending to repulse them, or push them away of rear sheet 71 and conducting sheet 74 both depressed against the structure.

The electromagnetic damping and heating effects are caused by the electromagnetic field of the induced electrical current and partially depends on the electrical conductivity of the conductive means (that is sheet 74 in this embodiment). The stronger the impact is, the greater the effects will be, which will extend the damping time and reduce the amplitude of the force exerted onto the object's structure.

The intensiveness of the electromagnetic effect also depends on magnetizability of the magnetic material used for plates 70, and the distance between sheets 71. Obviously, the magnetic material should have sufficiently high magnetizability to provide said effects. The distance between sheets 71 can be constructively reduced by a modification of the device to substantially increase their resultant electromagnetic field.

Optional Implementations of First Type MID-Devices.

As mentioned above, the MID-device of the above described embodiment might be implemented not only for two magnetic members, but also for a plurality of such members. Generally, they are placed a distance from each other. The elastic means are disposed inside each adjacent pair of the magnetic members.

Since initial magnetic forces between sheets 71 may be substantial, the elastic means should be strong enough to restrain the attraction of the magnetic sheets and keep them a distance, and to return sheets 71 substantially towards their start (initial) position after the impacts or intermittent loads discontinue. On the other hand, the elastic means should be sufficiently flexible to easily change its thickness under the impact force, causing possible greater changes in the distance between sheets 71 to induce greater electric current in sheet 74. Therefore, it may be efficient to use an impact insertion between the magnetic sheets, combining materials of different extent of elasticity for construction of the insertion. Proper materials, whose elasticity depends on the amplitude of an impact or intermittent load imposed thereon, may be useful in such an insertion.

The conductive means may be represented by a plurality of conducting sheets embedded in (a means for heat withdrawing should be considered) such elastic means simultaneously serving as insulation means. The conducting means may also be performed as imprinted conducting plates, conducting coils, solenoids, and other similar conventional means for creation a circuitry for induced electric current. These conducting means may additionally increase the electromagnetic damping effect, e.g. in some embodiments the magnetic members may be constructed as electromagnets having additional sources of electric current.

In some embodiments, it can be useful to change the order of the device's elements, e.g. to place the conducting sheet in front of the frontal magnetic sheet, or even combine the conducting sheet with the fence screen, or just simply use a conductive fence screen. It is however important that the rear sheet be substantially immovably supported by the fixing means for creation of a relative movement between the magnetic members.

For some constructions of the insertion, it may be beneficial to use conditional or custom-made springs (not shown herein) of suitable shapes, made of appropriate materials. An insertion comprising a polymeric pad confining fluid bubbles, acting similar to springs when depressed, might be suitable in certain types of the device as well. The use of springs with magnetic properties may contribute to the resultant magnetic field of the MID-device to increase it.

Conventionally known magnetic fluids can be placed in a bladder or bladders encapsulated in the insertion. When such an insertion, having its own magnetic properties, is subjected to intermittent load forces, it would generate an additional changing electromagnetic field generally including different frequencies, inducing additional harmonics of electric current in sheet 74, increasing the dissipation. Such magnetic insertion with the magnetic members may produce an additional damping effect conditioned by the changing of magnetic polarity described in the Canadian patent 10,239 to Wesley W. Gary.

Similar effect may be produced by a MID-device with non-magnetic insertions if the number of magnetic members is three or greater. A more substantial increase of the damping may be achieved, if the rear magnetic member is performed as a stationary magnet or electro-magnet capable to create a sufficiently high magnetic field. A linear motion of the magnetic means or the electro-conductive means in the MID-device may be substituted by a non-linear motion, but should remain reciprocal. Different mechanisms, conventionally known to a person skilled in the art, may be utilized by for this purpose.

Exemplary Description of a First Type MID-Device for Personal Heater Means.

An embodiment of a first type MID-device is illustrated on FIG. 3, and comprises a fixing means in the form of an envelope (77). The envelope 77 is immovably supported in a coordinate system, e.g. in a shoe, and is preferably made of suitable flexible dielectric materials with a sufficient heat-conducting characteristic.

The embodiment comprises magnetic means including a plurality of magnetic members in the form of flexible magnetic sheets (71) with magnetic plates (70) superimposed on sheets 71. In this embodiment, only two magnetic sheets are exemplified: the frontal sheet 71 shown in the upper part of FIG. 3, and the rear sheet 71 shown in the lower part of FIG. 3.

The embodiment comprises insulation means including insulation sheet (72) positioned behind the rear sheet 71, depicted on FIG. 3.

The embodiment comprises electrical conductive means including a conducting sheet (74), shown on FIG. 3, positioned behind insulation sheet 72.

The embodiment comprises elastic means including an impact absorbing insertion (75), illustrated on FIG. 3, and disposed between the frontal and rear sheets 71. Envelope 77 encloses the flexible magnetic sheets 71, insulation sheet 72, conducting sheet 74, and impact absorbing insertion 75.

The embodiment generally operates in the same fashion as the previously described embodiment for high wind protection, but its heating, electromagnetic, or electro-dynamic effects are utilized in a different measure according to the special purpose of this embodiment. The dissipation of the wind energy and transforming it into the electrical energy of induced current and eventually into heat can be used for warming up of a heat-consuming object, for example, personal heater means for protection against cold weather.

All the elements of the MID-device embodiment may be made of the materials above described, or of other appropriate materials, capable to provide the heating effect of the induced electrical current, and to substantially direct the heat flow toward the heat-consuming object, that is to a heat consuming direction.

For this embodiment (FIG. 3), it is also important that the materials of insulation sheet 72 have sufficient heat isolation properties to possibly prevent the heat flow from conducting sheet 74 to the rear magnetic sheet 71 that is opposite to the heat consuming direction. Sheet 74 may have shining or glossy surface from the side of sheet 72, and blacked surface from the opposite side to provide better heat radiation toward the heat consuming direction. Insertion 75 may be performed in different versions described herein above. Alternatively, insertion 75 may have a low heat conductivity relatively to the heat conductivity of envelope 77, reducing the heat flow in the direction opposite to the heat consuming direction.

The MID-device of this embodiment, subjected to an intermittent outer force and producing the heating effect, may be used, for example, in designing of individual heater means, particularly clothing or footwear for cold and windy weather conditions.

For instance, such a MID-device, according to this embodiment, may be built in gloves. It would be preferable to have thin flexible sheets 71 with a narrow ferromagnetic layer superimposed thereon, or such sheets made of mixed materials containing a magnetic component of sufficient magnetizability.

Conducting sheet 74 should be made of flexible material containing electrically conducting powder, or thin conducting threads, or other such means to provide sufficient conductivity and circuits for the induced electrical current.

Insulation sheet 72 can be performed in the form of a dielectric layer continuously coupled with conducting sheet 74 and electrically isolating it from the adjacent magnetic sheet 71.

Envelope 77 can also be made of a suitable electrically insulation material, but the rear part of the envelope positioned across the heat consuming direction (from sheet 74 to the hands) must be made of materials with a substantial heat-conducting property. Therefore, it may be reasonable to perform the rear part of envelope 77 from a different material than the frontal part, which frontal part generally may require high heat insulation properties to insulate the hands from the outside low temperature.

Materials used for electrical insulation and heat conducting in conventional personal electrical heaters placed on the human body may be useful in the designing of envelope 77. In general, a high level of electrical insulation is not required in the first type MID-devices (which distinguish them from the conventional electrical heaters connected to standard home outlets), since the induced voltage is expected to be of essentially low figures (it is generally in the opposite proportion to the conductivity of conducting sheet 74), and therefore should not cause any hazard to the person protected from cold air by such MID-devices.

Since the energy of the electromagnetic field is essentially transformed into heat in conducting sheet 74, which also serves as an electromagnetic screen, and since the frequency of the electromagnetic field is expected to be low (it is generally proportional to the frequencies of the intermittent forces applied to the frontal sheet 71), surrounding humans and animals should not be negatively affected by the electromagnetic field.

The gloves may heat up the hands simply by clapping the hands. Other ways of activations of the gloves in cold weather conditions are by subjecting them to vibrations, for instance, during the use of a power tool by a worker wearing the gloves, or the like. The saddle of a motorcycle or the jacket of the driver may also be furnished with such a MID-device to warm them up in cold conditions.

Such a heating MID-device, made according to this embodiment, may be enclosed in shoes, boots, etc. as a pad, during cold weather, and be activated when the person walks, jumps, or runs. Similar pads may be enclosed in a jacket or a coat to be worn during cold and windy conditions, and activated by the hands and by the high winds. A tent or a sleeping bag may have a layer in the form of a similar MID-device to warm it up by the wind impacts.

MID-Device Utilizations for Damping of Shock Waves, for Bullet Proofing.

MID-devices of a first type may be used, for example, for damping of an air blast or a shockwave of an explosion. A frangible object's surface covered by such MID-devices fixed to the structure and disposed behind special screens may be protected against such blasts or shockwaves in the air, water, or another fluid environment. MID-devices can be specifically implemented to reduce cavitation. They may also be used for protection of frangible objects against waves in a solid environment, such as earthquake waves, in bulletproof means, etc.

Structural Analysis of MID-Devices Introduced in the Parent Application.

A common feature of the MID-devices so far introduced in the parent application was the use of elastic means disposed between magnetic members for keeping them apart and for return of the magnetic members substantially to their initial positions after the application of the intermittent force or the outer impact. The elastic means were represented by a pneumatic chamber, a bladder-panel, an impact absorbing insertion (made, for example in the form of springs, or made of material with spring-like properties), etc.

Such elastic means were required in the MID-device, which included, for example, two or more magnetic members attracting to each other (that is having opposite polarities). Thus, the elastic means were a necessary element of the MID-device disclosed in the parent application, providing its operability.

On the other hand, the elastic means created a problem. They had to keep a predetermined distance between the magnetic members and return them from their end position substantially to their start position for the next intermittent force application. In turn, this involved a decrease of the resultant magnetic flux through the conductive member at least in the end position, i.e. the damping and heating effects were reduced as a result of the use of the elastic means.

This continuation-in-part application discloses below new solutions to the mentioned problem, which allow increasing of said resultant magnetic flux, and on the other hand, provide the return of the magnetic members substantially to their start position without an additional means. It is now believed that the MID-device can be substantially modified to improve its efficiency and commercial applicability for the high wind protection and personal heater means.

Improved MID-Devices of a First Type with One Magnetic Member.

An improved embodiment of the first type MID-device is illustrated on FIGS. 4 a, 5 a, 5 b, and comprises: a magnetic member in the form of a movable flexible sheet or substrate (71) with a plurality of magnetic plates (70) superimposed thereon. The magnetic polarities of plates 70 may be arranged as depicted on FIG. 4 a that is all the magnetic plates 70, situated on substrate 71, are oriented in the same magnetic polarity, shown by the “N” on FIG. 4 a. Another possible orientation configuration of plates 70 is depicted on FIG. 4 b, wherein one plate of the sheet is vertically and horizontally adjacent to other four plates having the opposite magnetic polarity. For different materials and plate and sheet sizes, both kinds of configurations may be tried before making a choice of the relative magnetic orientation of the magnetic member's plates. Other configurations might be tried as well. In general, the configuration providing the most damping and heating should be utilized.

The improved embodiment comprises a conductive member in the form of electro-conducting sheet (74), generally positioned immovably in a coordinate system (which can be fixably associated with an object to be protected from winds, or to be heated up) covered with elastic means in the form of an impact absorbing insertion (75) with spring-like properties (similar to that described in the previous embodiments). Insertion 75 is so disposed that facing plates 70, as shown on FIG. 5 a, illustrating the start position of sheet 71 at the beginning of its movement. FIG. 5 b illustrates sheet 71 in a location somewhere close to the end position of its movement.

Distinctly from the embodiments previously described herein above and in the parent application, this improved embodiment has only one magnetic sheet 71, made movable, and insertion 75 disposed between magnetic sheet 71 and conducting sheet 74 (versus between two magnetic sheets 71 disclosed in the previous embodiments). As a result, insertion 75 can easily provide the return of sheet 71 to its start position, since there is no other magnetic member attracting the sheet 71.

The embodiment operates as follows: sheet 71 is actuated by an outer intermittent force (e.g. heavy hurricane wind) and having a starting velocity, shown by arrow (v10) on FIG. 5 a. It also depicts a magnetic flux of plates 70 in its start distribution. In this start position there is no other magnetic flux.

While sheet 71 is approaching to sheet 74, the magnetic flux changes its distribution due to an electric current (i) indicated on FIG. 5 b, essentially known as the eddy current, induced in sheet 74, having a magnetic field of opposite polarity, directed so that decelerates the motion of the sheet 71 subsequently to a lower velocity, shown by arrow (v20) on FIG. 5 b. The directions of current (i) are shown by circled (.) and (x) symbols corresponding to the “toward the viewer” and “from the viewer” directions respectively. Therefore the outer impact or intermittent load is damped by the MID-device.

In a location of the movable sheet 71 substantially close to the end position, illustrated on FIG. 5 b, there are shown the magnetic flux of plates 70 (compressed in the gap between plates 70 and conducting sheet 74, comparatively to its start distribution), and an induced magnetic flux depicted with its polarities (N) and (S) respectively distributed in the vicinity of sheet 74. In general, the induced current (i) is proportionally depending on the magnetizability of plates 70, the distance between sheet 71 and sheet 74, and the velocity amount (changing from v10 to v20 during the movement). Generally, the amount of energy, dissipated in sheet 74 and eventually transformed into heat, is proportional to the squared effective amount of induced current.

This embodiment differs from the previous ones in that the impact absorbing insertion is only used for returning the movable magnetic member essentially to its start position, but not for keeping apart magnetic members, since there is only one magnetic member is involved in the embodiment. Such a construction might be preferably used for relatively strong impacts capable to create significant magnetic flux changes, and therefore a substantial damping effect.

The only magnetic member can also be made immovable, whereas the conductive member performed movable (as in the next embodiment), capable to be actuated by the outer impact or intermittent loads. It does not change the principle of the device's operation.

An Improved First Type MID-Device Utilized for Warming up a Shoe.

The embodiment illustrated on FIGS. 5 a and 5 b can be modified (not shown on the drawings), for example, making sheet 74 movable and actuated by the outer force, while immovably fixing sheet 71 to an object's surface. It would be well applicable to a MID-device implemented in a personal heater means, for instance in the form of a pad in boots or shoes. In this case, sheet 71 could be coupled with the sole, and positioned below sheet 74. Sheet 74, being the upper part, may be covered by a piece of fabric (not shown herein, but might be the very left layer on FIGS. 5 a, 5 b) made of materials with sufficient heat conductivity.

The space intervals between neighboring plates 70 can be filled by suitable materials (not shown), so that the upper surface of plates and filled intervals will be in continuous contact with the spring-like insertion 75, on top of which sheet 74 will be positioned, covered by said piece of fabric. When a person is walking, the distance between sheet 74 and sheet 71 changes, which causes a magnetic flux change, and an induced current in sheet 74 that warms up the person's foot.

An Improved MID-device of a First Type without Impact Absorbing Insertion.

An exemplary embodiment of a first type MID-device without elastic means is shown on FIGS. 6 a, 6 b. It comprises two magnetic members in the form of a flexible left sheet 71 and flexible right sheet 71, with magnetic plates 70 superimposed thereon, so that two opposite plates on the right and left sheets are facing each other with the same polarity. The left sheet 71 is made immovable; the right sheet 71 is capable to move toward the left sheet 71 in the direction outlined by a vector of the start velocity (v10) shown on FIG. 6 a. FIG. 6 b shows the right sheet 71 in a location substantially close to its end position, with the end velocity indicated by a vector (v20). Plates 70 may be arranged in the configuration depicted on FIG. 4 a.

The embodiment comprises a conductive member in the form of a conducting sheet 74, coupled with the left sheet 71, as illustrated on FIG. 6 a. FIGS. 6 a and 6 b show the magnetic flux distributions for the left and right sheets 71 in the start and in the end positions of the right sheet 71 respectively. FIG. 6 b additionally depicts an induced magnetic flux with the (S) and the (N) marks associated with an electric current (i) induced in sheet 74. The directions of current (i) are shown by circled (.) and (x) symbols corresponding to the “toward the viewer” and “from the viewer” directions respectively.

The operation of this embodiment begins when the right sheet 71, pushed by an outer mechanical force (e.g. a flying debris impact), starts moving towards the left sheet 71. This motion changes the magnetic field in the vicinity of conducting sheet 74 inducing an electrical current (i) in it, illustrated on FIG. 6 b. The induced electrical current (i) is associated with aforesaid induced magnetic flux (S)-(N) with the polarity indicated in parentheses. The induced flux is so directed that causes a deceleration of the right sheet 71, effectively damping the impact of outer mechanical force (thereby protecting a frangible object from the debris impact).

Substantially, the induced current (i) is proportionally depending on the magnetizability of plates 70, the distance between the right sheet 71 and the conducting sheet 74, and the velocity amount (changing from v10 to v20 during the movement). In general, the amount of energy, dissipated in sheet 74 and eventually transformed into heat, is proportional to the squared effective amount of induced current (i).

When the velocity of the movable magnetic member decreases to zero, the induced current will be equal to zero as well. On the other hand, the opposite polarities of the movable and immovable plates 70 cause a repulsive force, which starts moving the movable plates 70 backward (not shown) to their start position. An induced current, this time having the opposite direction (not shown herein) in sheet 74, also decreasingly decelerates the backward motion. This “backward” deceleration should not substantially affect the operation of the device, though slows down the return to the start position.

An Improved First Type MID-Device with Specially Shaped Magnets.

In general, two oppositely disposed magnetic members should normally repulse each other, and cause a substantially linear motion of the movable member relatively to the immovable member. However, the repulsing forces also tend to create displacements (“perpendicular displacements”) in a plane essentially perpendicularly to said substantially linear motion of the movable member. This creates unbalanced torques applied to the movable member, which may change the linear motion to non-linear, and also cause distortion of the substrate of the movable member. An embodiment of a first type MID-device, addressed to the problem, follows.

This embodiment, illustrated on FIG. 7 a, comprises a plurality of immovable magnetic members in the form of permanent magnets (70L), and a plurality of movable magnetic members in the form of permanent magnets (70R) so positioned that capable of a substantially linear reciprocal motion relatively to magnets 70L. All magnets 70L are superimposed on a substrate (71) fixed on it with the same magnetic polarity, e.g. the S-polarity, as shown on FIG. 7 a. The MID-device comprises a conductive member (74) continuously attached to the other side of substrate 71. The opposite ends of all magnets 70L are oriented in the same N-polarity, facing the gap between magnets 70L and 70R, and performed in a concave shape. The concaveness may preferably be of spherical type.

As illustrated on FIG. 7 a, magnets 70R of this embodiment are fixedly inserted in a substrate (71M), which may be a flexible sheet representing a fence screen for high wind protection of a frangible object, or alternatively the flexible sheet may be attached to such a fence screen. An outer impact or intermittent loads are thus applied to substrate 71M causing aforesaid motion. The free ends of magnets 70R, facing said gap, are performed in a convex shape. The convexness may preferably be of a spherical type. Magnets 70R face the gap with the same N-polarity as magnets 70L, so that a repulsive force exists between the movable and immovable permanent magnets. Magnets 70L and 70R are disposed in essentially parallel planes, and substantially coaxially positioned relatively to each other, i.e. have a common axis extending through their centers perpendicularly to the planes of magnets 70L and 70R.

Normally during operation, the partial repulsive force components applied, for example, to the upper 70R magnet shown on FIG. 7 b, may be demonstratively indicated by vectors f1, f0, f2. As mentioned above, magnets 70R may tend to the aforesaid perpendicular displacements, exemplarily shown by a vertically upwardly directed displacement vector dy on FIG. 7 c. This displacement will change f1, f0, and f2 as symbolically depicted on the same FIG. 7 c. A resultant repulsive force exerted onto the movable member is represented by vector fR. This vector fR has two components: a horizontal component fRx and a vertical component fRy indicated on FIG. 7 c.

Due to said shapes of the ends of magnets 70L (concave) and 70R (convex) confronting each other, said perpendicular (upward vertical) displacement dy causes the vertical force fRy applied downwardly to the movable member's magnets 70R, i.e. directed opposite to vector dy. This opposite force decelerates the perpendicular displacement, and tends to return magnets 70R to their initial substantially coaxial position relatively to the position of the immovable member's magnets 70L. This embodiment is provided in order to stabilize the substantially coaxial positions of the movable and immovable magnetic members.

A Bladder-Panel Implemented with an Improved First Type MID-Device.

The earlier described embodiment of a first type MID-device without an impact absorbing insertion may be modified and implemented in conjunction with a bladder-panel described in detail in the parent application. Such implementation can be used for heavy wind abatement and cushioning of impacts exerted onto a frangible object's surface by flying missiles.

The implementation is illustrated on FIG. 8 a (side sectional view) and 8 b (frontal sectional view) and comprises a bladder-panel (18), similar to the one disclosed in the parent application. Bladder-panel 18 is preferably wrapped around a frangible object (50) to be protected from high winds and flying debris. Bladder-panel 18 includes a plurality of flexible bladders, filled with a fluid, preferably with compressed air, and connected to each other by openings (46) made in the horizontal common walls of two vertically adjacent bladders, as shown on FIG. 8 b. Similar openings are made in the vertical sidewalls of two horizontally adjacent bladders (not shown).

The frontal and rear walls of the bladders of bladder panel 18 enclose magnetic means in the form of respectively a frontal and a rear magnetic plates (70) illustrated on FIG. 8 a. Plates 70 are substantially made of permanent magnets (possibly rare earth magnets) of sufficient magnetizability, and so magnetized that the frontal and rear plates face each other with the same polarity that is repulse each other.

The frontal bladder wall is coupled with a fence screen (22) preferably supported (supporting and fixing means are not shown herein, but discussed in the parent application in detail) by frangible object 50. The rear bladder wall is coupled with a frontal surface of an insulation sheet (72) made of suitable dielectric material. The rear surface of insulation sheet 72 is continuously coupled with a frontal surface of a conductive member in the form of conducting sheet (74). The rear surface of conducting sheet 74 is attached to the frontal surface of object 50.

When screen 22 is subjected, for instance, to hurricane wind loads, the bladders, located on the windy side of object 50, are intermittently contracted, and the bladders located on the opposite side of object 50 are expanded (since they are all pneumatically connected). If the wind is strong enough, the frontal plates 70 will be displaced sufficiently close to the rear plates 70 to initiate a substantial repulsive interaction between the plates. Further increasing impacts of the wind dynamic pressure will cause additional damping of the impacts conditioned by an electric current induced in conducting sheets 74, as described above.

Conversely, in the time intervals when the wind pressure diminishes, the rear plates 70 will push away the frontal plates 70. This will cause an expansion of the windy side bladders. The expansion will also be supplemented by the internal pressure difference between the windy side bladders and the opposite side bladders, since all bladders of bladder-panel 18 are pneumatically connected by the mentioned openings 46. It will therefore increase the protective capacity of the windy side bladders when the next wind impact (or flying debris impact) will hit the frangible object from the same windy side.

A MID-Device of a Second Type Combined with a Bladder-Panel.

In some embodiments, the rear magnetic members (and sometimes the frontal magnetic members) may be performed in the form of electromagnets powered by a separate power source (not shown herein), and possibly capable to be regulated by a control means, so that the repulsive forces between the magnetic members may be changed according to wind parameters or other conditions. This is a reason to introduce an embodiment of MID-device of a second type.

This exemplary embodiment of a second type MID-device is illustrated on FIGS. 9 a and 9 b, and comprises a more complex immovable magnetic assembly including two immovable permanent magnets: the upper and lower magnets (70L), disposed substantially in parallel to each other but in the opposite magnetic orientations. Magnets 70L are jointed by a soft iron core, making a “bridge”, so that these three elements are assembled in a “horse-shoe-like” shape. A conductive multi-turn coil (74L), internally and externally covered by an insulation dielectric layer (72), is disposed on the core. The ends (74L1) and (74L2) of coil 74L may be connected generally to a source of electrical current, or to an electrical load, or to each other forming a short circuit. Coil 74L and core 70M are also shown on FIG. 9 b. Core 70M may be attached to an object (50), to be protected from high winds, by brackets (61B), shown on FIGS. 9 a and 9 b.

The embodiment of the second type MID-device comprises two counterpart movable permanent magnets (70R) coupled to a fence screen (22) for protecting a frangible object against flying debris. Magnets 70R are so positioned that facing their immovable counterparts 70L with the same magnetic orientation causing the repulsion between magnets 70L and 70R. The device comprises a bladder-panel (18) disposed between magnets 70L and 70R. Thus, the cushioning of intermittent high wind loads and flying debris impacts is provided by the bladder-panel (as described in the parent application), and by the interaction of the movable magnets with the immovable magnetic assembly and with the conductive member, causing the electromagnetic damping of said wind loads or debris impacts.

The MID-device embodiment operates similarly to the above described embodiments, but also may be used in different modes (which may be arranged by switching ends 74L1 and 74L2 to different circuits). A damping mode is utilized when it needs to provide only the damping of high wind loads or debris impacts, wherein ends 74L1 and 74L2 may be connected by a wire into a short circuit. A power-generating mode may be actuated when ends 74L1 and 74L2 are connected to an electrical load (not shown), such as lighting, heating or other power consuming electrical devices, possibly via rectifiers. A repulsive force control mode may be actuated when ends 74L1 and 74L2 are connected to an electrical power source (not shown) regulated by a control unit.

Optionally magnets 70L and core 70M may be substituted by a conventional core used in DC windings (not shown herein). This would require more power to induce a magnetic field of the immovable magnetic assembly for creation of repulsive forces in the repulsive force control mode, and might be less effective in the damping mode. Another option is the use of the immovable magnetic assembly and the movable magnetic members on their own, without elastic means, such as a bladder-panel, pneumatic chamber, etc., since they may provide the return to the start position by the repulsive force created between them in the device. 

1. An apparatus, substantially a magnetic induction dynamical device, called a MID-device, actuated by outer intermittent loads or impacts, damping said loads or impacts, and producing heat energy, comprising: magnetic means for creating a magnetic flux; and electrical conductive means; wherein said magnetic flux changing in the vicinity of said conductive means, so that inducing electric current in said conductive means thereby causing said damping and heat producing.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an elastic means; wherein said magnetic means performed as a flexible magnetic member having a substrate with magnetic plates superimposed thereon, the magnetic member made movable in a coordinate system; said electrical conductive means performed as a conductive member immovable in the coordinate system, so that said magnetic member capable of substantially linear reciprocal motion from its start position toward its end position and backward, relative to the conductive member; said conductive member coupled with said elastic means, which elastic means being positioned between the conductive member and the magnetic member; and said elastic means capable to return said magnetic member substantially backward to its start position after discontinuing or decreasing of an instant amount of said load or impact.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said magnetic means including: immovable magnetic means disposed substantially fixedly in a coordinate system; and movable magnetic means disposed so that capable of a substantially linear reciprocal motion from a start position toward an end position relatively to said immovable magnetic means and backward, causing changes of said magnetic flux; said motion actuated by said loads or impacts.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said movable and immovable magnetic means respectively performed as at least one movable and at least one immovable flexible magnetic members each comprising a substrate and magnetic plates superimposed on the substrate.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said plates mounted so that two oppositely positioned plates on the at least one movable member and on the at least one immovable member disposed substantially coaxially, and facing each other with the same magnetic polarity.
 6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said magnetic plates of said at least one movable member so mounted that all oriented in the same magnetic polarity; said magnetic plates of said at least one immovable member so mounted that all oriented in the same magnetic polarity; said magnetic plates of said at least one movable member performed as permanent magnets each having a free end configured in either a convex shape, or in a concave shape; and said magnetic plates of said at least one immovable member performed as permanent magnets each having a free end configured in a concave shape for facing said magnetic plates of said at least one movable member each having the free end being performed in a convex shape; or said magnetic plates of said at least one immovable member performed as permanent magnets each having a free end configured in a convex shape for facing said magnetic plates of said at least one movable member each having the free end being performed in a concave shape.
 7. The apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising an elastic means particularly capable to return said at least one movable magnetic member substantially towards its start position after discontinuing or decreasing of an instant amount of said load or impact.
 8. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising elastic means; insulation means continuously coupled with and covering said conductive means; wherein said magnetic means performed in the form of magnetic plates; said elastic means performed in the form of a bladder-panel, filled preferably with compressed air, for damping of high wind loads and impacts thereby protecting a frangible object from the loads and impacts; each bladder of said bladder-panel having a frontal wall enclosing a frontal magnetic plate and a rear wall enclosing a rear magnetic plate; each pair of oppositely disposed said frontal and rear magnetic plates so positioned that facing each other with the same magnetic polarity; the frontal wall of each bladder coupled to a fence screen protecting said bladder-panel from outside impacts of hard airborne objects; and the rear wall of each bladder attached to said insulation means covering said conductive means, which conductive and insulation means preferably fixed to the frangible object.
 9. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an elastic means; wherein said electrical conductive means performed as a conductive member; said magnetic means performed as a flexible magnetic member having a substrate with magnetic plates superimposed thereon, said conductive member capable of substantially linear reciprocal motion from its start position toward its end position and backward, relatively to the magnetic member; said conductive member coupled with said elastic means, which elastic means being positioned between the conductive member and the magnetic member; and said elastic means capable to return said conductive member substantially backward to its start position after discontinuing or decreasing of an instant amount of said load or impact.
 10. The apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising insulation means continuously coupled with and encapsulating said conductive means; casing means enclosing said magnetic means, said conductive means with said insulating means, and said elastic means; and wherein said casing means, with the enclosed said magnetic means, said conductive means with said insulating means, and said elastic means, adapted to be inserted in a piece of footwear, or clothing, or sleeping bag, or tent.
 11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said casing means comprising a flexible envelope incorporated into personal heater means for protecting a human body or its parts from outside low temperatures.
 12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said conductive means and elastic means so mutually disposed in the envelope that the elastic means situated further from the human body or its parts than the conductive means; said elastic means possessing a predetermined elastic material heat conductivity; said casing means possessing a predetermined casing material heat conductivity; and the predetermined elastic material heat conductivity substantially less than the predetermined casing material heat conductivity.
 13. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said flexible envelope having a side positioned across the heat consuming direction made of materials with a predetermined higher heat conductivity, and having another side positioned opposite to the heat consuming direction made of materials with a predetermined lower heat conductivity.
 14. The MID-device according to claim 3, wherein said movable magnetic means comprising a first number of permanent magnets associated in pairs; said immovable magnetic means comprising a second number of permanent magnets associated in pairs, said second number equal to said first number, the second number permanent magnets mounted coaxially and in the same magnetic polarity facing to the first number permanent magnets, a number of soft iron cores spanning each pair of the second number permanent magnets, a number of electro-conductive coils each mounted on each of said number of soft iron cores, and said coils capable to be connected either to an electrical power source, or to an electrical load, or the ends of each of said coils capable to be connected by a wire to each other in a short circuit.
 15. The MID-device according to claim 1, further comprising: elastic means; and insulation means for electrical isolation of said conductive means; wherein said magnetic means including immovable magnetic means disposed substantially fixedly in a coordinate system and fixedly coupled to said conductive means, and movable magnetic means so disposed and configured that capable of a substantially linear reciprocal motion forward from a start position to an end position relatively to said immovable magnetic means and backward from the end position to the start position; the forward motion of said movable magnetic means actuated by said loads and impacts; and the backward motion of said movable magnetic means actuated by said elastic means.
 16. The MID-device according to claim 15, wherein said movable magnetic means comprising a plurality of flexible movable magnetic members positioned a distance from each other, possessing predetermined magnetic properties, including a frontal member, wherein the frontal member disposed so that being actuated by said loads or impacts, said magnetic members flexibly supported in a coordinate system; said immovable magnetic means comprising a rear member substantially immovably disposed relatively to the coordinate system; said elastic means comprising a number of impact absorbing insertions for providing a relative oscillating movement of and returning said movable magnetic members substantially backward to their start position after said impacts or loads discontinued or decreased, and each of said insertions possessing predetermined spring properties and preferably disposed between the adjacent members of each pair of said plurality of magnetic members; said insulation means comprising a dielectric layer or an insulation sheet made of dielectric materials, preferably disposed behind the rear member; and said electrical conductive means comprising a conducting sheet, preferably disposed behind said insulation means so that being separated from said rear member by said insulation means.
 17. A device for protection of a frangible object from intermittent mechanical loads or impacts, preferably during high wind or hurricane conditions, said device comprising cushioning means for damping of said loads and impacts mounted on the structure of said frangible object, or on a structure surrounding said frangible object; said cushioning means comprising a plurality of inflatable chambers, inflated by a body of a suitable inner fluid, preferably compressed air; connecting means for connection of said chambers, said connecting means providing a propagation of changing pressure of said body of inner fluid between the pneumatically adjacent to each other chambers affected by said loads or impacts; additional cushioning means including a number of MID-devices according to claim 5, wherein the movable magnetic means of each of said number of MID-devices disposed behind said chamber and being in a mechanical contact with the rear wall of said chamber, and the immovable magnetic means of each of said number of MID-devices disposed behind said movable magnetic means and preferably fixed to said frangible object.
 18. A method for damping of intermittent mechanical loads or impacts comprising the acts of providing magnetic means for creating a magnetic flux; providing electrical conductive means, wherein said magnetic means performed at least partially movable relatively to said conductive means; subjecting said magnetic or electrical conducting means to said loads or impacts, causing a substantially linear reciprocal motion of said magnetic means or a portion thereof from a start position to an end position relatively to said conductive means, thereby changing said magnetic flux in the vicinity of said conductive means, inducing an electric current within said conductive means, which electric current associated with an induced magnetic field so oriented as causing a deceleration of said motion, thereby providing said damping.
 19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising providing elastic means for returning said magnetic means relatively to said electrical conductive means substantially backward from the end position to the start position after discontinuing or decreasing said loads or impacts.
 20. The method according to claim 18, wherein said magnetic means comprising movable magnetic means displaceable relatively to said conductive means, and immovable magnetic means fixed to said conductive means; and the movable and immovable magnetic means so oriented as facing each other with the same magnetic polarity, thereby providing the return of the movable magnetic means substantially backward from the end position to the start position after discontinuing or decreasing said loads or impacts. 